Breaking News: Storm buffets Peninsula blaze

11/20/200910:30 a.m.

M. Kate WestChester Editor11/20/2009

At approximately 9:20 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20, firefighters from the Peninsula and Hamilton Branch fire protection districts were dispatched to a structure fire at 814 Peninsula Dr., inside the Lake Almanor Country Club gates.

As the blaze grew in intensity, engines and personnel from both Chester and the Almanor West fire protection districts also responded.

PFPD fire commissioner and volunteer firefighter Russ Greenlaw worked as incident commander. He said the structure was not occupied at the time of the fire. He described the house as an older, two-story lakefront home owned by an out-of-the-area senior couple.

“Despite the challenges of 35 mph storm winds contributing to the intensity of the fire, we were able to contain the fire to one structure,” he said.

He said those winds forced firefighters to maintain a defensive posture in holding the line.

Although the units managed to knock the fire down in about one hour, Greenlaw said they would remain on scene to mop up.

The cause of the fire will be investigated. He said the investigator was en route and would begin as soon as he could make it through the storm.

“In good Lake Almanor fashion, we have already received a number of calls from people willing to help,” he said. “Local contractors working nearby have also offered their assistance as well.”